These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
Park opens near lab development
Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, 2 p.m. Thursday. A park that is part of the Boynton Yards development opens with a ribbon cutting. The park is between large lab and life-science buildings at 101 South St. and 808 Windsor St., one of which also opens Thursday.
Tufts Street tree replacement
Urban Forestry Division, 5 p.m Thursday. Give input on the proposed removal of 22 trees on Tufts Street for a streetscape renewal project. The city says more than 40 trees will be planted as replacements – part of a wider initiative to revitalize the street with a new mural and better pedestrian infrastructure. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Update on Winter Hill housing
Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan Civic Advisory Committee, 5:30 to 7 p.m Thursday. An update to a development at 299 Broadway, Winter Hill, a 288-unit housing complex to include almost 30,000 square feet of retail and park space. The long-awaited project aims to reuse land once used by a Star Market grocery store. Watchable via Zoom videoconferencing.
Reimagining streets
Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The committee discusses a redesign of Western Pearl Street, considering three designs first presented at a community meeting in early October. The redesign could turn the street into a one-way and provide a protected bike lane and improved infrastructure for pedestrians. The committee also holds a brief review of potential designs for the reconstruction of West Broadway, a well-trafficked street running through Somerville. The meeting will be held at the Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Central Hill, and is watchable via videoconferencing.
Somernova expansion process
Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1:30 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Monday. Somerville is updating zoning with resident feedback to address the potential expansion of Somernova, a 7.4-acre campus hosting tech startups and artists. The new plan would create a “research and development district” in balance with protections for the area’s arts economy. Ten meetings to create a path forward for the project and a culminating presentation are upstairs at 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, including these three on infrastructure and zoning. The next meeting is Dec. 2.
Dual Cedar Street demolitions
Historic Preservation Commission, 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. The commission decides the historical significance and potential demolition of two adjacent homes built at the turn of the 20th century at 33-35 Cedar St., under development by the real estate groups Beantown LLC and Mazel Tov LLC. Plans for the properties have not been publicly discussed online. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Energy info for renters
Office of Sustainability and Environment, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. In an effort to increase energy efficiency, the city proposes a measure requiring landlords to disclose properties’ energy consumption to current and future tenants. The disclosures, which “could” include information such as the type of fuel used and energy-saving measures installed in the house, would be posted on the property for renters to consider when searching for housing. According to a city press release, officials believe the ordinance will spur landlords to take steps toward lower costs of utilities – now easily accessible – and ease tenants’ burden while making older properties more appealing. Watchable via videoconferencing.
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.